Turret cooling block for an index machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for unloading and cooling molded parts from an injection molding machine having an index turret block rotatable about a central axis. The device comprises a cooling turret block rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the central axis, which cooling turret block has a plurality of faces. At least one of the faces includes a plurality of nozzles for applying a cooling fluid to surfaces of the molded parts while the molded parts are resident on the index turret block. At least two of the other faces of the cooling turret block include a plurality of receiving tubes for receiving molded parts from the index turret block for further cooling. The cooling turret block of the present invention is capable of cooling multiple sets of molded parts.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for forming molded parts comprising the steps of: providing an injection molding machine having a stationary platen having a first mold portion and an index turret block rotatable about a first axis, said first mold portion being at least one of a mold cavity plate and a mold core plate, said index turret block having two faces and each of said faces having a second mold portion comprising at least one of a mold cavity plate and a mold core plate, said index turret block being movable towards and away from said stationary platen;   providing a cooling turret block rotatable about a second axis substantially parallel to said first axis, said cooling turret block having a first face with means for directing a cooling fluid onto molded parts and second and third faces with means for receiving molded parts from said index turret block;   moving said index turret block towards said stationary platen until said first mold portion contacts said second mold portion and forms a plurality of mold cavities;   injecting molten material into each of said mold cavities and forming a first set of molded parts;   moving said index turret block away from said stationary platen;   rotating said index turret block about said first axis to move said first set of molded parts into a cooling position; and   rotating said cooling turret block so that said first face with said cooling fluid directing means is directed toward said first set of molded parts and blowing said cooling fluid onto said first set of molded parts.   
     
     
       2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising forming a second set of molded parts while said first set of molded parts is being cooled by said cooling fluid directing means by moving said index turret block towards said stationary means until said first mold portion contacts said second mold portion and injecting molten material into said cavities. 
     
     
       3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising rotating said cooling turret block about said second axis to bring said receiving means on said second face into alignment with said first set of molded parts and ejecting said first set of molded parts from said index turret block into a first set of said receiving means. 
     
     
       4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: rotating said index turret block to move said second set of molded parts into said cooling position;   rotating said cooling turret block to bring said cooling fluid directing means on said first face into alignment with said second set of molded parts; and   blowing cooling fluid onto said second set of molded parts.   
     
     
       5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising moving said index turret block into a molding position and forming a third set of molded parts while said second set of molded parts is being cooled by said cooling fluid directing means. 
     
     
       6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising rotating said cooling turret block to align a second set of receiving means with said second set of molded parts and ejecting said second set of molded parts from said index turret block into said second set of receiving means. 
     
     
       7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: moving said index turret block away from said stationary platen;   rotating said index turret block to move said third set of molded parts to said cooling position; and   rotating said cooling turret block to bring said cooling fluid directing means into alignment with said third set of molded parts.   
     
     
       8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising moving said index turret block towards said stationary platen and forming a fourth set of molded parts while said third set of molded parts is being cooled. 
     
     
       9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: ejecting said molded parts from said first set of receiving means;   rotating said cooling turret block so that said first set of receiving means is aligned with said third set of molded parts; and   ejecting said third set of molded parts from said index turret block into said first set of receiving means.   
     
     
       10. The method according to claim 9, wherein each set of receiving means includes a plurality of inserts and said step of ejecting a respective set of said molded parts into a respective set of said receiving means comprises placing one of said inserts about each of said molded parts. 
     
     
       11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising moving said cooling turret block away from said index turret block a distance sufficient to allow said index turret block to rotate about said first axis. 
     
     
       12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising independently moving said cooling turret block towards and away from said stationary platen. 
     
     
       13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising moving said index turret block and said cooling turret block in unison towards and away from said stationary platen. 
     
     
       14. The method according to claim 9, further comprising raising and lowering said cooling turret block prior to said ejection of said first set of molded parts to allow said first set of molded parts to be accurately placed onto means for taking said first set of molded parts to a downstream operation. 
     
     
       15. A device for unloading and cooling molded parts from an injection molding machine having an index turret block rotatable about a central axis, said device comprising: a cooling turret block rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to said central axis;   said cooling turret block having a plurality of faces;   a first face on said cooling turret including means for applying a cooling fluid to surfaces of said molded parts while said molded parts are resident on said index turret block; and   second and third faces on said cooling turret including means for receiving molded parts from said index turret block for further cooling.   
     
     
       16. The device according to claim 15, wherein said means for applying a cooling fluid comprises means for directing a stream of compressed air onto said molded parts. 
     
     
       17. The device according to claim 16, wherein said directing means directs said stream of compressed air onto an exposed gate area of each molded part. 
     
     
       18. The device according to claim 15, wherein said means for applying a cooling fluid comprises a plurality of nozzles for directing a stream of fluid onto exterior portions of said molded parts. 
     
     
       19. The device according to claim 15, wherein said means for receiving molded parts comprises a plurality of receiving tubes on each said second and third faces. 
     
     
       20. The device according to claim 19, wherein each of said receiving tubes includes means for cooling a molded part resident therein and vacuum means for retaining the molded part. 
     
     
       21. The device according to claim 19, wherein said index turret block has two mold core halves and each of said mold core halves has a plurality of mold cores and wherein the number of receiving tubes on each second and third face equals the number of mold cores on one of said mold core halves. 
     
     
       22. The device according to claim 15, wherein said cooling turret block has an even number of faces. 
     
     
       23. The device according to claim 22, wherein said cooling turret block has a fourth face which includes means for applying a cooling fluid. 
     
     
       24. The device according to claim 15, wherein said cooling turret block has six faces and has one pair of opposed faces including said first face equipped with said means for applying said cooling fluid and two pairs of opposed faces including said second and third faces forming one pair equipped with said means for receiving said molded parts. 
     
     
       25. The device according to claim 15, further comprising: said index turret block being supported by a pair of carriers; and   said cooling turret block being supported by means attached to said carriers.   
     
     
       26. The device according to claim 25, wherein said means attached to said carriers includes: a pair of supports attached to said carriers;   a guide affixed to each support;   a sliding block engaging each said guide; and   a journal extending out from each side of said cooling turret block and engaging one of said sliding blocks.   
     
     
       27. The device according to claim 26, further comprising means attached to said cooling turret block for causing said cooling turret block to rotate. 
     
     
       28. The device according to claim 27, wherein said rotation causing means comprises a servo motor. 
     
     
       29. The device according to claim 25, further comprising means for causing said cooling turret block to move in an axial direction toward and away from said index turret block. 
     
     
       30. The device according to claim 15, further comprising: carrier means for supporting said cooling turret block; and   said carrier means being axially movable in said axial direction.   
     
     
       31. The device according to claim 30, further comprising said machine having a stationary platen and means for moving said carrier means towards and away from said stationary platen. 
     
     
       32. The device according to claim 31, wherein said moving means comprises a belt drive system. 
     
     
       33. The device according to claim 32, wherein said belt drive system comprises: a pair of belts attached to said carrier means;   pulley means for engaging said belts;   a drive shaft connected to said pulley means; and   a motor for rotating said drive shaft.   
     
     
       34. The device according to claim 33, wherein said motor for rotating said drive shaft and said drive shaft are positioned underneath said index turret block when said machine is in a mold closed position. 
     
     
       35. The device according to claim 31, further comprising means for rotating said cooling turret block about its rotational axis. 
     
     
       36. The device according to claim 15, further comprising means for raising and lowering said cooling turret block along an axis substantially perpendicular to its rotational axis so as to allow finished molded parts to be placed onto a means for taking said molded parts to a downstream operation. 
     
     
       37. The device according to claim 36, wherein said raising and lowering means comprises: at least one post;   at least one sliding bearing block connected to said cooling turret block, said at least one sliding bearing block sliding along a guide affixed to said at least one post; and   means for raising and lowering said at least one sliding bearing block.   
     
     
       38. The device according to claim 37, wherein said means for raising and lowering said at least one sliding bearing block comprises a belt driven system. 
     
     
       39. An injection molding machine comprising: a base;   a stationary platen affixed to said base, said stationary platen having a first mold portion comprising at least one of a mold core plate and a mold cavity plate;   an index turret block having two faces, said index turret block being movable along a molding axis towards and away from said stationary platen and being rotatable about a first axis;   each of said index turret block faces having a second mold portion comprising at least one of a mold cavity plate and a mold core plate affixed thereto;   each of said second mold portions being movable between a first molding position where said second mold portion contacts said first mold portion and forms a plurality of mold cavities therewith and a second cooling position opposed to said first position;   means for injecting molten material into said cavities to form a plurality of molded parts;   a second turret block rotatable about a second axis substantially parallel to said first axis;   said second turret block being used to unload molded parts from said second mold portions when one of said second mold portions is in said second position; and   said second turret block always being aligned with said index turret block along said molding axis.   
     
     
       40. The machine according to claim 39, further comprising: said index turret block being supported by a pair of carriers; and   said second turret block being supported by means attached to said carriers.   
     
     
       41. The machine according to claim 40, wherein said means attached to said carriers includes: a pair of supports attached to said carriers;   a guide mounted to each said support;   a sliding block engaging each said guide; and   a journal extending out from each side of said second turret block and engaging one of said sliding blocks.   
     
     
       42. The machine according to claim 41, further comprising: at least one cylinder for causing said sliding blocks to move along said guides and thereby move said second turret block towards and away from said index turret block.   
     
     
       43. The machine according to claim 42, wherein said at least one cylinder spaces said second turret block from said index turret block a distance sufficient to allow said index turret block to rotate about said first axis. 
     
     
       44. The machine according to claim 39, further comprising means for rotating said second turret block about said second axis. 
     
     
       45. The machine according to claim 44, wherein said cooling turret block rotating means comprises a motor attached to said second turret block. 
     
     
       46. The machine according to claim 39, further comprising means for causing said second turret block to move along an axis substantially perpendicular to said second axis toward and away from said index turret block. 
     
     
       47. The machine according to claim 46, wherein said means for causing said second turret block to move along said axis comprises a pair of linear bearings on said base and a pair of carriers joined to said second turret block and slidable along said pair of linear bearings. 
     
     
       48. The machine according to claim 47, further comprising a belt drive system for causing said carriers to move along said linear bearings. 
     
     
       49. The machine according to claim 48, wherein said belt drive means comprises: a drive belt attached to each said carrier;   pulley means for engaging each of said belts;   a drive shaft connected to said pulley means; and   a drive motor for rotating said drive shaft.   
     
     
       50. The machine according to claim 49, wherein said drive motor and said drive shaft are positioned underneath said index turret block when said machine is in a mold closed position. 
     
     
       51. The machine according to claim 48, further comprising a rotational motor affixed to said second turret block via a gearbox. 
     
     
       52. The machine according to claim 39, further comprising means for raising and lowering said second turret block along an axis substantially perpendicular to said second axis so as to allow finished molded parts to be placed onto means for taking said molded parts to a downstream operation. 
     
     
       53. The machine according to claim 52, wherein said raising and lowering means comprises: at least one post fixed to said base;   at least one guide affixed to said at least one post;   at least one sliding bearing block mounted to said second turret block and engaging said at least one guide; and   means for raising and lowering said at least one sliding bearing block.   
     
     
       54. The machine according to claim 53, wherein said raising and lowering means comprises a belt driven system. 
     
     
       55. An injection molding machine comprising: a base;   a stationary platen affixed to said base, said stationary platen having a first mold portion comprising at least one of a mold core plate and a mold cavity plate;   an index turret block having two faces, said index turret block being movable along said base towards and away from said stationary platen and being rotatable about a first axis;   each of said turret block faces having a second mold portion comprising at least one of a mold cavity plate and a mold core plate affixed thereto;   each of said second mold portions being movable between a first molding position where said second mold portion contacts said first mold portion and forms a plurality of mold cavities and a second cooling position opposed to said first position;   means for injecting molten material into said cavities to form a plurality of molded parts;   means for cooling said molded parts and unloading them when one of said second mold portions is in said second position, said cooling means comprising a second turret block rotatable about a second axis substantially parallel to said first axis; and   said second turret block having a plurality of faces;   a first face on said second turret block having means for directing a cooling fluid onto said molded parts while said molded parts are resident on said second mold portion when one of said second mold portions is in said second position; and   second and third faces on said second turret block having means for receiving molded parts from said second mold portions when one of said second mold portions is in said second position, said second and third faces being opposed.   
     
     
       56. The machine according to claim 55, wherein said second turret block has at least two opposed faces including said first face, each with said means for directing a cooling fluid onto said molded parts. 
     
     
       57. The machine according to claim 55, wherein said cooling fluid directing means comprises a plurality of nozzles on said first face for directing said cooling fluid onto gate areas of said molded parts. 
     
     
       58. The machine according to claim 55, wherein said receiving means comprises a plurality of receiving tubes on each of said two opposed faces. 
     
     
       59. The machine according to claim 58, wherein the number of receiving tubes on each of said two opposed faces is equal in number to said molded parts. 
     
     
       60. The machine according to claim 58, wherein each of said receiving tubes has means for cooling a molded part resident therein and vacuum means for retaining said molded part resident therein. 
     
     
       61. The machine according to claim 55, wherein said receiving means further comprises means for loading an insert onto said molded parts. 
     
     
       62. The machine according to claim 61, wherein said receiving means comprises a plurality of tubes for receiving said molded parts and wherein each of said tubes has an insert positioned therein which is placed on a respective one of said molded parts.